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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening is closed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has seen a significant rise in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent employing throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Weight classes do not exist in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

While women can participate in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including support staff.

Junior less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Top champions include global participants, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking wrestling careers.